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May 18 / snowfirster

You May Think Of Snow In Such A Hot Day

snowWhen water freezes inside clouds, ice crystals form. Ice crystals are crystals that have formed around tiny bits of dirt that have been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. The ice crystals join together creating snow flakes. Once the flakes are heavy enough they fall to the ground as snow. Each snowflake is made up of from 2 to about 200 separate crystals. In addition to a normal snow fall, snow can drift to the ground lightly as flurries, fall heavily as a snowstorm, or pile up quickly by being blown by strong winds in a blizzard.

Snow continues to challenge weather experts across the country. It is still very difficult to predict and is surprisingly hard to measure once it has fallen.

Based on National Weather Service records for 1961 through 1990, Rochester, New York averages 94 inches of snow annually and is the snowiest large city in the United States. Rochester has a population more than 200,000 and annual municipal snow-removal budget of $3.7 million (1995 figures).

Buffalo, New York, is a close runner-up in terms of U.S. large cities with the most snow. A 39-inch snowfall in 24 hours in early December 1995 cost the city nearly $5 million for snow removal.

Each year an average of 105 snow-producing storms affect the continental United States. A typical storm will have a snow-producing lifetime of two to five days and will bring snow to portions of several states.

Fresh snow is an excellent insulator. Ten inches of fresh snow with a density of 0.07 inches, seven percent water, is approximately equal to a six-inch-layer of fiberglass insulation with an insulation R-value of R-18.

Practically every location in the United States has seen snowfall. Even most portions of southern Florida have seen a few snow flurries.

Snow kills hundreds of people in the United States each year. The primary snow-related deaths are from traffic accidents, overexertion, and exposure, but deaths from avalanches have been steadily increasing.

The greatest snowfall officially reported at the Phoenix, Arizona National Weather Service Office was one inch. That occurred twice. The first time was January 20, 1933. It happened again four years later on the same date.

The shape that a snow crystal will take depends on the temperature at which it was formed. When the temperature is around 32°F to 25°F thin six-sides plates are formed. At 25°F to 21°F long needle shapes are formed. At 21°F to 14°F hallow columns are formed. At 14°F to 10°F six-point stars are formed. At 10°F to 3°F dendrites are formed. The colder it is outside, the smaller the snowflakes that fall. The fluffiest snow falls at temperatures around 15°F.

A ‘Thundersnow’ is a thunderstorm with snow falling instead of rain, it would also be a good name for a cheesy 80′s Heavy Metal band.

Not sure if those are hipsters shoveling snow or if this picture is actually from 1888The greatest snowfall officially reported in Phoenix, Arizona, was one inch. That occurred twice. The first time was January 20, 1933. It happened again four years later on the same date, and they haven’t shut up about it since.

In the western United States, mountain snow pack contributes up to 75 percent of all year-round surface water supplies, and 90% of all “good-for-skiing snow.”

Practically every location in the United States has seen snowfall. Even most portions of southern Florida have seen a few snow flurries. Miami still has the record for building the world’s smallest snowman.

It can never be too cold to snow, but most snow falls at around 15 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, which is -9 degrees Celsius. But nobody really cares about Celsius.

According to the definition of ‘mineral’- ”a naturally occurring homogeneous solid, inorganically formed, with a definite chemical composition and an ordered atomic arrangement,” snow is a mineral

A single snowstorm can drop 40 million tons of snow, carrying the energy equivalent to 120 atom bombs.

Most snowflakes are less than one-half inch across. The largest snowflake recorded was fifteen inches in diameter.

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May 12 / snowfirster

When Mimosa Flowering Occurs I Will Know Summer Is Coming

mimosa tree flowersMimosa is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree that can grow 20 to 40 feet tall. It is a member of the legume (Fabaceae) plant family and is capable of fixing nitrogen. The bark is light brown and smooth while young stems are lime green in color, turning light brown and covered with lenticels. Leaves are alternately arranged and bipinnately compound (6 to 20 inches long), having 20 to 60 leaflets per branch. The leaf arrangement gives mimosa a fern-like or feathery appearance. Mimosa flowering occurs from May through July. Pom-pomesque flowers are borne in terminal clusters at the base of the current year’s twigs. The flowers are fragrant and pink in color, about 1½ inches long. Fruits are flat and in pods, a characteristic of many legumes. Pods are straw-colored and 6 inches long containing 5 to 10 light brown oval-shaped seeds about ½ inch in length. Pods typically persist on the plant through the winter months.

Mimosa reproduces both vegetatively and by seed. Seeds require scarification in order to germinate. This characteristic allows the seed to remain dormant for many years. Normally seeds are dispersed in close proximity of the parent plant; however, seeds can also be dispersed by water. Wildlife may also contribute to the spread of mimosa through the ingestion and excretion of the seeds. Vegetative reproduction occurs when trees are cut back, causing quick resprouting and regrowth.

Mimosa trees are fast growing and can reach heights of 20 to 40 feet. However, they also have relatively short lives. If you live in an area with harsh winters, your mimosa tree will most likely not survive the winter. Their fragrant and attractive flowers and easy care make a lot of people choose to grow mimosa trees. Does this Spark an idea?

Growing best in full sun locations, Mimosa is not particular as to soil type but has low salt-tolerance. Grows well in acid or alkaline soil. Mimosa tolerates drought conditions well but has a deeper green color and more lush appearance when given adequate moisture.

The litter problem of the blooms, leaves, and especially the long seed pods requires consideration when planting this tree. Also the wood is brittle and has a tendency to break during storms though usually the wood is not heavy enough to cause damage. Typically, most of the root system grows from only two or three large-diameter roots originating at the base of the trunk. These can raise walks and patios as they grow in diameter and makes for poortransplanting success as the tree grows larger.

Unfortunately, Mimosa (vascular) wilt is becoming a very widespread problem in many areas of the country and has killed many roadside trees. Despite its picturesque growth habit and its beauty when in bloom, some cities have passed ordinances outlawing further planting of this species due to its weed potential and wilt disease problem.

Native to the Middle East and Asia, mimosa was brought to this country in 1785 by the famous French botanistAndre Michaux, who planted it in his botanic garden in Charleston, South Carolina. It grew quickly into a vase-shaped, flat-topped tree, 30 to 40 feet tall, and it loved the Southern climate. The flowers, attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and colonial gardeners, ranged in color from nearly red to deep pink to flesh-pink to white. On one road-side near my home, there is a row of them, each a different color. Here’s the usual pink.

And here’s a white one. I really like the white, but I’ve never seen it for sale. The various colors are due to genetic variation, with pink being dominant. Where I live in Alabama, the trees usually start blooming in June and continue for several weeks into July.

First, like most all fast-growing trees, mimosa is notoriously short-lived, subject to many pests, and will die on you in a heartbeat. When people ask me the best way to get rid of a mimosa, I tell them to make it the focal point of their landscape and it will be gone momentarily.

Second, after the flowers fade, the tree grows hundreds of 6-inch long, bean-like, brown seedpods which hang from every branch. The seedpods persist all winter, even after the tree has dropped its leaves. Few trees look as ugly or more forlorn.

But wait! It gets worse! Each of those pods is filled with seeds and each and every one of them germinates somewhere, even in cracks in the pavement. Plant one mimosa in the yard and soon every house in the neighborhood has two or three mimosas. coming up in the fence, the middle of a bush, or by the silver propane tank.

Mimosa adapts to almost any well-drained soil, laughs at heat and drought, and does not mind if you spray-paint the trunk white, hang tires from the branches, or park your pickup on top of its roots. In hort class, we called it a “pioneer species,” because if you disturb the land, remove native vegetation, and open the tree canopy to light, it’s one of the first trees to appear. That’s why you see it growing along just about every highway and country road in the South. Northerners be glad it doesn’t like your cold winters, but with global warming, who knows how much longer you’ll be free?

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May 7 / snowfirster

The Purple Smoke Tree Shows Off A Very Peculiar Combination Of Colors

Purple Smoke TreeThe purple smoke is known by various names throughout the United States, some of the common slang names that are used for this tree are smoke tree, purple smokin’ tree, smoke bush or simply the smokin’ tree.

Botanical Information
The purple smoke tree belongs to the Plantae kingdom. Within the kingdom, it is consecutively classified into category, Angiosperms, sub-category Eudicots, and a subordinate to the sub-category by the name, Rosids. The tree belongs to the Sapindales order, which means that it is a flowering tree. It is further classified into the family of Anacardiaceaes, which means that it is flowering tree as well as a fruit-bearing plant.

Physical Characteristics
These smoke trees grow into either small trees or form clumps of medium-sized trees. The sizing of the plant depends on many different factors like its sub species, the terrain on which it is growing and also the amount of sunlight, care and nutrition that it receives. The leaves of the tree are deciduous in nature and have a tendency to grow in an alternative manner. An average leaf grows up to a length of about 3 to 13 cm and is ovular in shape. The flowers of the smoke tree are usually cluttered on the topmost portion of the tree and have an appearance of a grayish cloud. The pinnacle of the clump of flowers usually has a diameter of about 15 to 30 cm. The fruit of this tree is single seeded and is known as the drupe.

Habitat
This tree is a native to the warm and temperate regions of the northern hemispheres. Due to the attractive and beautiful features of the tree many botanists and greenhouse owners have replanted some young plants in the temperate regions in the southern hemisphere. The natural habitat of this tree stretches from Tennessee to Alabama and down to the wilderness of Texas.

Uses
The basic use of this plant is as an ornamental garden plant. If this breed of the smoke tree grows into a proper tree and not just a shrub, then it is usually planted in the corner of the garden. Most of the landscape experts call this phenomenon as an ‘eye-catching’ corner piece. In case of mansions, the landscape designers prefer to make this tree the centerpiece of the front garden or the porch.

If you are planning to plant this tree in your garden, then keep in mind that these small shrubs need a lot of trimming and pruning. If it’s a small tree then a lot of disciplining of branches is required. It must be noted that this tree requires pruning annually, preferably in early spring time. The specialty of this tree is that it gets molded in the form that it is proved and remains so for about a year or so. The tree also needs a lot of care as it has a wooden bark that can get infested quickly. However, the end result is extremely beautiful and eye-catching. This tree proves to be a very important asset to impress your guests.

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May 3 / snowfirster

Grow Your Own Culinary Herb Garden And Make Your Dishes Healthy

Culinary Herb GardenHave you ever wondered why the food at five star restaurants smell and taste so good? Besides knowing the importance of the correct ingredients and their right amounts, every good chef is aware of the value of fresh herbs. Herbs are nature’s little surprises that can add great flavor to the most simply-prepared dish. However, when one has already put the pan on the oven, a trip to the neighborhood store would seem like putting one’s dish at stake. What better way to add an amazing taste to your cooking than to have one’s own culinary herbs garden that would ensure a variety of fresh herbs close within your reach at all times?

Requirements for Growing Culinary Herb Garden

Location
This is the most important consideration while planning to have a culinary herb garden. Proper sunlight ensures that the herbs have denser, darker foliage and produce more essential oils that add to their health benefits. However, whether a bright, sunny spot or a shady corner should be selected, depends upon the herbs chosen for the garden. For herbs like basil, coriander and thyme, choose a bright sunny spot. However, shade-loving herbs like parsley, peppermint and chives will grow well in cool, shady spots.

Select a location that is close to your kitchen as this would ensure that due to the distance you do not avoid using your herbs for cooking. Certain herbs serve as excellent landscaping plants. If you want to use the herbs in your food, be sure that you do not plant them with other landscaping plants. Select an area in the vegetable garden or devote an inconspicuous space anywhere in the garden for the culinary herbs, so that chopping off a part of the herbs won’t bother you about spoiling the look of your house or garden.

Soil
Contrary to popular belief, herbs do not grow in just any soil. Like all plants, herbs require a loose, well-drained and well-aerated soil. Preparing the garden soil with compost before planting the herbs would greatly benefit the herbs. Good drainage is important, but ensure that the soil does not get water-logged. Adding mulch is also a good idea. Avoid the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Pruning
This depends upon whether the herb is herbaceous, annual or evergreen. While annual and herbaceous herbs generally don’t require to be pruned, it is important to cut off the older branches of evergreen herbs like thyme, rosemary and sage. Cutting the older woody branches provides better sunlight to the younger, leafier branches that are more useful for cooking.

Growing Culinary Herbs

Here is some information about growing a few popular indoor culinary herbs.

Basil
Basil requires a bright, sunny location such that it receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. However, ensure it is not exposed to harsh mid-day sun. Water deeply every week, preferably during the afternoon. However, take care that the soil is well-drained. Protect the plant from heavy winds and frost. Basil grows well in pots. Hence, you could bring it indoors during the winters. It is important to trim the plant during the growing season, as once it starts producing flowers and fruits, it will become woody and the yield of the leaves will be reduced. Basil can be grown from seeds.

Fennel
Fennel requires bright sunlight. It grows well in fertile and well-drained soil. Sow seeds at a distance of six inches apart in the spring season, or you could also start with seedlings. Ensure that the soil is moist until the seeds have sprouted. It is best to plant fennel in successive crops so that you have a steady supply. Leaves can be harvested anytime throughout the year. To use the seeds, collect them from the flower heads as they turn brown. Then sun-dry them and store in airtight containers.

Fenugreek
Fenugreek grows well in moist soil that is rich in humus. Seeds of fenugreek should be sown in the spring season in an open sunny spot. Ensure that the soil is well-drained. The seeds germinate easily. Plant enough seeds for a good supply, as the plants are small and thin. To get the seeds, pluck the pods as they start to turn brown and sun-dry them. Once they have dried, the pods will pop to release the seeds.

Parsley
This herb grows well in full sun or light shade. The soil should be deeply dug and rich in organic matter. It should be adequately moist, specially during dry winters. Parsley seeds take as long as 2 to 5 weeks to germinate. To hasten the process, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Seeds should be sown evenly in well-watered soil and then be covered with 1/8 inches of soil. Plucking leaves and removing flowers will ensure good growth. However, if you want to use seeds, some flowers can be left in the plant.

Most of the herbs grow well in pots or containers. Hence, they can be easily shifted indoors to keep them away from unfavorable weather conditions. Although the basic requirements of soil and location are the same for almost all the culinary herbs, it is best to have proper knowledge about the specific factors required for each herb you are planning to grow in your culinary herb garden.

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Apr 28 / snowfirster

Know Some Interesting Things About The Evergreen Coniferous Tree – White Cedar

White Cedar TreeA popular ornamental tree, the white cedar is widely cultivated for its rich glossy dense foliage and conical shape. Its scientific name is Melia azedarach, in the cypress family Cupressaceae. Other species in this family are the Eastern arborvitae and the Northern white cedar. The habitat of this tree includes wet forests and swamps of northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada, with cultivation extended in Europe.

Facts about White Cedar

This is a medium-sized tree, growing about 12 to 15 meters, in a conical shape. It mainly stands upright, but as it matures the dense foliage bends slightly downward near the trunk. The foliage is so dense, that the trunk is hardly visible from a distance. They live long, the oldest ones found in Eastern North America and Canada is believed to be in excess of 1653 years old! There are some 400 year old’s too found in the swamp areas, in its habitat in North America. The dense foliage is what makes this tree so unique and interesting. The leaves are flat, very tiny, scale-like, 3-5 mm long, not very green, with a tinge of yellow.

The red-brown bark is thin and smooth on young trees, and it begins to peel in narrow strips as it matures. The cones it bears are slender, with overlapping scales and in clusters. Once the seeds ripen in it and get dispersed, the cone still hangs on the branches. They can be propagated through seeds as well as cuttings, collect seeds early April. One will find lots of layered shoots on a white cedar, which can be cut and planted individually in soil. They grow in a wide variety of soil, but prefer shallow soil. They can tolerate short periods of both flood as well as droughts. They can grow in full sun as well as partial shade.

Uses of White Cedar

The white cedar is grown for ornamental landscape purposes, and because of its easy adaptability, can be found grown successfully in many home gardens too. Being strong and sturdy, it is used as a screen and hedge, for both privacy and wind break. As the wood is light, brittle and quite uniform in texture and form, it is commonly used for fencing, building posts, poles and shingles. And because it is resistant to rot, it is used as ribs and planks for canoes and any other structure exposed to water. The cones are used in many crafts and decorative idea around Christmas season.White Cedar Tree

The tree is a vital source of food for many animals, especially the deer who find the soft foliage very tasty to eat, they are quite capable of stripping a tree down. This has also lead to the problem of the white cedar destruction in habitats where the deer numbers are high. Birds and squirrels find the seeds very relishing too.

The white cedar essential oil is used for an array of products that include cosmetics and skin care product range like cleansers, soaps and shampoos to household commodities like disinfectants, insecticides, room refreshers, etc. The vitamin C content is as high as found in limes, and is believed to be the cure for scurvy.

The white cedar has more than a hundred cultivars, one can choose from that range in varied sizes to suit your purpose. A fine tree with so many uses, no wonder it is found in many homes!

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Apr 24 / snowfirster

Growing Your Own Flowers And Vegetables In Your Backyard Garden

Backyard GardenHow you landscape your backyard will depend largely on the shape and size of the yard. If privacy is an issue then one of the many fence variations, walls, rocks and evergreen trees will outline your yard while at the same time creating a privacy barrier. One thing many people don’t consider is that you want your garden to look good and beautify your yard in all seasons. This is were evergreens play a major part as deciduous trees lose their leaves and are bare for part of the year. Evergreens provide shape to your yard and provide warmth to your house.

However, you do need to take into account how large these trees will grow. I planted a scotch pine in the front of a previous home when it was just 1 ½ feet high, twenty years later I had to cut it down as it had grown to over 15 feet high and almost as wide at the bottom and it had taken over the front garden and was blocking light from the home. I had no option but to cut it down, and use the remaining stump as a patio seat. Such a beautiful tree but planted without due consideration to the location. What you plant in your backyard is also dependent on the weather in your area. If you live in a very hot dry area, then desert style vegetation with gravel or stones rather than grass is probably your best bet, and even a small waterfall or water feature that gives some life to the yard and is refreshing to enjoy when it is hot.

Using a system that recycles the water would be most beneficial in preserving the use of water. Grass goes brown in hot weather if not watered and looks unattractive. Many areas have water conservation so watering is not an option, take this into account when planning your yard. Whatever you do use a variety of elements, trees, plants, flowers, grasses, water features, rock formations and even garden ornaments or statues as appropriate. This will give year round interest to your garden. A sitting area or patio is essential if you want to sit out and enjoy the ambience, and deciding whether it is covered or not will again depend on the weather in your area. If you like to cook outdoors there are a wide variety of barbecues, either built in or movable.

Flower Garden. Proponents of flower gardens argue that flowers make their backyard more aesthetically valuable. A well planned and organized flower garden will make any backyard filled with intense colors and scents. Flower gardens will easily attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees and birds which will add to the natural beauty of your backyard. When it is well-planned, you can have a backyard that is blooming with flowers throughout the year. Having a flower garden will also ensure that flower vases inside your home are always filled with beautiful flowers that can make any day, even the gloomy days, bright.

Some flowers such as lavender and chamomile can produce oils that have aroma therapeutic properties. Scents of lavender and chamomile flowers are said to soothe and calm the nerves. Other plants, such as roses, are also used for their oils and are incorporated in baths.

Vegetable Garden. While some gardeners like to fill their backyards with flowers, others prefer to fill them with vegetables. Growing your own vegetable garden in your backyard can be a delicious endeavour because of the following benefits:

• Taste. Freshly picked vegetables especially those that are free from synthetic pesticides taste simply wonderful and taste more delicious than those purchased in a grocery store. When you grow your own vegetables, you can control the amount of pesticides that you put into them.

• Cost. Although there is some initial expense in starting your own backyard vegetable garden, the vegetables you get from your garden is absolutely free. Most people will agree that you can significantly reduce you weekly grocery costs by growing and eating your own vegetables. Excess vegetables from you harvest can even add to your savings if you sell them to your neighbours.

Flower and Vegetable Garden.

Although some people prefer a vegetable garden than a flower garden for their backyard and vice versa; there is no rule that says that you can’t have both flowers and vegetables in your garden. As a matter of fact, planting some flowers and herbs within a vegetable garden can be very beneficial to your backyard. Flowers and herbs not only make your backyard vegetable garden more aesthetically attractive; it also protects your vegetables from different harmful insect pests. The mixing of herbs and flowers will eventually make your vegetable garden more productive through the following:

• For Attracting Pollinators. Vegetables do not have the most attractive flowers to attract birds, bees and butterflies. To make sure that these pollinators find your vegetable plants, have flowers with high nectar content planted along side flowering vegetables. This will attract more pollinators that will pollinate both the flowers and the vegetables in your backyard garden. Flowers that have shades of yellow, blue or white such as sunflowers, cosmos and zinnias are ideal for attracting pollinators.

• For Attracting Beneficial Insects. If you are like most people nowadays, you will want to opt for organic foods. This means that you want foods that are free from synthetic pesticides. Attracting beneficial insects which kill insect pests is a more scientific and organic approach to getting rid of the harmful ones. Insects such as ladybugs, praying mantis, and parasitic wasps are beneficial insects that are attracted to certain flowers and herbs such as parsley and flowers from the aster family.

• Serve as a Trap Crop. When an insect pest infestation cannot be controlled, one way of not losing productivity is by offering it a sacrificial crop or a trap crop. Trap crops are usually planted surrounding the vegetable crop that you are protecting. Pests will be more attracted to the trap crop and will therefore congregate on it. Once the trap crop is infested with pests, they are then pulled out and disposed of including the pests. Flowering plants such as Nicotiana is a good trap crop for aphids.

Whether it be a vegetable garden, flower garden or a combination of both, having your own backyard garden will be beneficial to you and your family. Just having a garden to tend to even during the weekends will give the benefits of exercise. Tending a garden especially the weeding and cultivating part is a good way to keep fit.

 
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